ROCHDALE manager John Hollins knows he has plenty of experience to draw on should they need to battle for promotion via the play-offs.

After Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lincoln City, Dale still had an outside chance of going up automatically, and it is still mathematically possible after third-placed Cheltenham were held to a goalless draw at Carlisle last night,

Cheltenham are three points ahead of Dale and are also seven ahead on goal difference. Mansfield remain one point ahead of Rochdale.

So Dale need to beat Bristol Rovers at home on Saturday and hope that Mansfield lose at home to Carlisle and Cheltenham are beaten by Plymouth by enough goals to make up the goal difference in order to claim the third automatic promotion spot.

It's a tall order, but whatever happens Hollins is confident his men can do the business.

"I've been here four months now, but I'm learning more and more about the players all the time. We are making progress and I think the players are improving all the time," he said.

"We were disappointed we didn't get all three points on Saturday, but getting into the play-offs is massive progress. I think it's a great achievement. The players have enjoyed it and they've experienced the tension of it.

"And we've got some good, experienced players to rely on, as well as the younger players. The experience of our players will be invaluable."

Hollins added that Dale could also be boosted by the return of Paul Connor. Rochdale's record signing has been sidelined for the bulk of the campaign after being dogged by hamstring and knee injuries.

Hollins said: "We need to go into the last game full of confidence to prepare us for the play-offs if that's the way we have to go. Get in there, go in there with loads of confidence, score loads of goals and that's what we plan to do - so turn up."

He added: "I'm very proud of the players, the staff, everybody that's involved with Rochdale who have pushed this club to where it is now. They're wound up and motivated and they want Rochdale out of this division and in Division Two. All we have to do is press the buttons."